Marathon Weekend 2016

[bellanotte10]

Two years is plenty. You could probably do it in 6 months.

Thanks! I'll train like I'm doing it next year then repeat, just so I can mentally know I can do it going in. I have a huge problem with mental road blocks and performance.

 

[Keels]

Quick question: is two years enough to train for the dopey if the most I've ever done is a half?

I did it in less than one year (basically my second-ever half was in April - and that kicked off my first weekend of training). If you're going to take two years, I would definitely plan a full marathon in there somewhere. Dopey was my first full marathon and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have made it through without the help of friends that ran it with me.

 

[CamColt]

Another one just back here and all I can say is what an experience this has been! WOW! Thanks to all of you for all the answers, advice, and support. And CONGRATULATIONS to you all!!!

I was thrilled that we decided to do this and even more thrilled to have finished. My time and DH's really surprised me. Sadly I missed the margarita stand opening by 4 minutes. I hadn't even checked our actual placements until seeing people noted that in this thread. I was so interested in my time I forgot the other stuff.

As for the Castaway Cay Challenge, that was a lot of fun. Being on the cruise with over 600 other runners, was great. We had something in common with almost everyone we met. The funniest part was the first day or so, watching everyone (myself included) walk funny all over the ship, especially on the stairs. Boy was I tight! Doing the 5K on Wednesday really helped get me back to normal though.

With that said I'm not sure If I would do another full marathon. I'm saying no now but I know how easy it is to get swept up in the excitement so who knows what will happen. I used to say I'd never do a full marathon and look at me now...a marathoner! Never say never!

 

[Dopey Devon]

Not liking all these goodbyes on the thread, but looking forward to meeting you all again in 2018!

This being my first runDisney race weekend and my first Dopey I am by no means an expert, but sitting with my lil sis and bf the other night (both of which want to do Dopey or Marathon in 2018) they were picking my brain for tips and thoughts of the weekend so thought I'd share a few of them here with you guys.

1. I started waking up between 6/7 since about 23 Dec (happened naturally with xmas and new year planning) and I think this helped massively in "training" for the early mornings of the races. The only race morning I was really tired (due to lack of sleep) was the 5k and that was because I had stayed up for fantasmic and Star Wars fireworks (which are AWESOME btw) and therefore didnt get to bed til about 10pm. All other nights I was in bed by about 8pm or a measly 6.30pm the night before the marathon.

2. Don't have a huge meal after the half. We went to TREX after the half and I had a big meal of steak and mash (plus other things) and it meant that I wasn't hungry for anything else later on. I forced down an apple pastry with my bedtime tea (so english) but this resulted in my being starving when waking up for the marathon. Next time I think i'll have 2 medium sized meals after to make sure this doesn't happen again. This is the only real problem I had over the whole weekend. (Again this is just from my experience, it doesn't work for everyone).

3. Better to be undertrained than injured. You guys were 100% correct. I managed to run pretty much the whole way - bit of walking through MGM - and this was 100% because of your guys advice.

4. Thank and clap volunteers and spectators when running. I did this in every race and always got loads of noise/high fives from the crowds. Really picks your mood up and they love you for it. Plus they deserve claps - its crazy getting up at 2.30am to run a race, even crazier to get up at that time to watch a race!

5. Celebratory steak, crabs and cocktails at Fultons on the Sunday night was AMAZING. Would recommend this restaurant to anyone for a special occasion. Probably the best meal I've had at Disney.

I know these aren't fantastic tips but hope it helps some people. I also agree with you guys about Dopey merchendise - I was a bit disappointed as it was mostly just T-shirts (no hoodies/capris etc) and in purple and orange, two colours I just cant wear. Happy with my marathon merch though - wore it proudly today to my first post-weekend gym sesh!

 

[opusone]

Ended up crushing my under 4-hr goal...

Well then, it sounds like you need to update your marathon PR in your signature! Congrats!!

 

[Waiting2goback]

If you're going to take two years, I would definitely plan a full marathon in there somewhere. Dopey was my first full marathon and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have made it through without the help of friends that ran it with me.

I am with Keels. I would do at least one marathon during this time. It will help you understand what you're getting into with Dopey and it will also allow you to enjoy your Dopey experience more because you will know what you are getting into.

Another one just back here and all I can say is what an experience this has been! WOW! Thanks to all of you for all the answers, advice, and support. And CONGRATULATIONS to you all!!!

I was thrilled that we decided to do this and even more thrilled to have finished. My time and DH's really surprised me. Sadly I missed the margarita stand opening by 4 minutes. I hadn't even checked our actual placements until seeing people noted that in this thread. I was so interested in my time I forgot the other stuff.

As for the Castaway Cay Challenge, that was a lot of fun. Being on the cruise with over 600 other runners, was great. We had something in common with almost everyone we met. The funniest part was the first day or so, watching everyone (myself included) walk funny all over the ship, especially on the stairs. Boy was I tight! Doing the 5K on Wednesday really helped get me back to normal though.

With that said I'm not sure If I would do another full marathon. I'm saying no now but I know how easy it is to get swept up in the excitement so who knows what will happen. I used to say I'd never do a full marathon and look at me now...a marathoner! Never say never!

Most people say they won't ever do another marathon and yet I was surrounded by 24,999 other people on Sunday and they were't all first time marathoners. HMMMMM, what do you suppose that means?

 

[wdwjoe13]

Just catching up after getting back from the trip. Had a great time. Our three boys did the 100 and 200 meter dashes, while wife and I did Dopey. Here are some observations from the weekend:

-The four straight early wake up calls were more difficult than last Dopey. Probably has something to do with the addition of our twins for this trip.

-During the half marathon, there was a runner in mile one repeating "on your left" the whole time. Some runners had nowhere to go, and instead of simply passing a few people on the grass, she just kept saying it louder and louder. Led to some shouting as congestion prevented runners from letting her pass on the left. She then yelled at someone to get out of her corral. We got a kick out of it, especially since she was only running about a 10 minute mile and placed in the exact right corral. Not really embodying the spirit of a Disney race.

-We were joking about how the banana peels thrown on the sidewalk could lead to someone slipping on them. I commented that I don't get how banana peels are slippery. The next day, our four year old decided to test if banana peels were slippery. He dropped his and fell on his butt. Very funny in the moment once we saw he was okay.

-One of the highlights of the marathon was the run along Osceola. Normally that is a grind, but for two miles, spectators had all kind of snacks, including pretzels, swedish fish, licorice, even someone with two liters of coke pouring cups for runners. That was awesome! Thanks to all who come out to support the runners.

-At the end, I felt like I still had at least 5 more miles in me. We ran a little slower than usual, as my wife gets back into running form after the births last year. While we ran the whole time, the slower pace meant we felt much better for the last several miles, and didn't really feel the marathon legs that we have in past races.

-Love love love these races and the support on this board. I don't post much, but read everyone's comments. While I am sad its over, this board gets me excited for the weekend in future years.

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

-During the half marathon, there was a runner in mile one repeating "on your left" the whole time. Some runners had nowhere to go, and instead of simply passing a few people on the grass, she just kept saying it louder and louder. Led to some shouting as congestion prevented runners from letting her pass on the left. She then yelled at someone to get out of her corral. We got a kick out of it, especially since she was only running about a 10 minute mile and placed in the exact right corral. Not really embodying the spirit of a Disney race.

Hilarious. We saw plenty of this in our corral too and I would always tell them not to worry, the winner crossed the line a couple hours ago. I get that it can be frustrating in some of those really congested stretches, but seriously, you aren't going anywhere.

-One of the highlights of the marathon was the run along Osceola. Normally that is a grind, but for two miles, spectators had all kind of snacks, including pretzels, swedish fish, licorice, even someone with two liters of coke pouring cups for runners. That was awesome! Thanks to all who come out to support the runners.

For sure...this stretch seemed a lot better than the last couple of years. So much energy and support on what has always been a very lonely, boring and difficult point of the race!

 

[DOOM1001]

I definitely noticed more people giving out things to the runners,thank you to those I got the smarties and the Swedish fish from.On another note thank you Disney for not cheaping out and giving us good chocolate entering DHS,I don't know if it was last year or two years ago I was expecting chocolate and got fruit snacks instead,I like fruit snacks but I was expecting the chocolate,not happy!!!The pieces of Dove this year were great,I must have taken like 6!!!

 

[SarahDisney]

So, I have to share this:
On Sunday afternoon (after the marathon), we went to mini-golf. As we were walking on the path from DHS to the Swan/Dolphin, I said to my sister: "You can tell there was a marathon here from the littered remains of Clif Shots and chocolate."
I was highly entertained

 

[cavepig]

Oh I almost forgot but waiting in corral F for the marathon a gal who's bib clearly said O starts to hope over the guard rail thing, & I was feeling awful and grouchy so yelled "your not supposed to be in this corral", she says "I know", then precedes to jump over smashing into me and smashing my foot, then slithers to the middle. Her friend who looked embarrassed since everyone was staring since I was loud (hey I was sick) by it all apologized, but the other girl could have cared less if she hurt anyone. I had to hold it together as I about lost it when she smashed me. First time I had witnessed a corral hopper, she just acted so entitled.

 

[CamColt]

Most people say they won't ever do another marathon and yet I was surrounded by 24,999 other people on Sunday and they were't all first time marathoners. HMMMMM, what do you suppose that means?

Good point, LOL!

 

[Waiting2goback]

I did have a final topic of discussion. I always meant to throw this out there in recent weeks but then it got busier as we got closer to the race.

So many people have said they intend to do Dopey in 2018. It already sells out in minutes as it is. I guess I am wondering if they are going to increase the fields for these races that year for the anniversaries to be able to handle the amounts of people who want to do them? I remember hearing a podcast with the race director for the 20th Anniversary and they increased the fields for that race so I would have to think they will for the 25th, right?

 

[derekleigh]

I guess I will say my good bye to you fine folks....for now. I will be back and plan on running Goofy and the 5K during the next marathon weekend I am a part of, which will probably be 2018 or 2019. Keep on running!

 

[GrandAdmiralStrife]

http://www.marathonfoto.com/Proofs?PIN=C3B362&LastName=BROWN

My Dopey Challenge pics if anyone is interested in looking.

 

[JClimacus]

-During the half marathon, there was a runner in mile one repeating "on your left" the whole time. Some runners had nowhere to go, and instead of simply passing a few people on the grass, she just kept saying it louder and louder. Led to some shouting as congestion prevented runners from letting her pass on the left. She then yelled at someone to get out of her corral. We got a kick out of it, especially since she was only running about a 10 minute mile and placed in the exact right corral. Not really embodying the spirit of a Disney race.

-.

I think I know who you are talking about. I remember a woman bellowing "on your left" and elbowing her way past me, and continuing in that manner on ahead of me. My kids and I were running probably 10:30 pace at the time. And I remember thinking similar thoughts to you: "You're running about a 10 minute pace lady, lighten up!" That was the only non-positive attitude I saw all weekend. Everyone else was wonderful.

 

[cavepig]

http://www.marathonfoto.com/Proofs?PIN=C3B362&LastName=BROWN

My Dopey Challenge pics if anyone is interested in looking.

I saw you in the 5k with the stormtrooper outfit & thought how cool! Awesome outfits at all the races & wow for running in the Leia outfit for the full, that humidity was rough, did you cook?!

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

Checking in one last time and checking out.

I did the Museum of Aviation Marathon this weekend and clocked a new PR, by just 34 seconds.

I went out too fast (yes, even after 10 marathons I have not fully learned that lesson), but hung on for the PR. This included some stupid runner math at mile 24, where I thought I had a 2 minute cushion, then a 100 yard later, realized I had forgotten the .2

This was my 10th marathon, including 3 Goofys. I think I'm done with marathons for a while, possibly for ever. I'm trying to decide what the next challenge is; maybe a 24 hour race, maybe focus on the shorter distances...

Thanks everyone for the informative and fun times here on the DIS!

Godspeed to you on your running journey, wherever it takes you.

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

I'm trying to decide what the next challenge is; maybe a 24 hour race, maybe focus on the shorter distances...

Triathlon!

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

Triathlon!

I've done a mini-tri and they are rewarding, but I don't think I'm willing to spend enough time in the pool.

Although if 4 years ago you had suggested I run 10 marathons...